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Reyes' comeback suffers another setback

Reyes' comeback suffers another setback

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By Anthony DiComo
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- The bases were conspicuously empty this week in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where Jose Reyes was to begin the next -- and supposedly final -- step of his rehab. Though Reyes may still run the bases this weekend, manager Jerry Manuel admitted on Friday that the delay can be considered a setback.

"We thought that would have been part of the progression," Manuel said as his Mets prepared to play yet another game with their injured shortstop on the disabled list. "Whether that is a setback or whether that is more time for the recovery for the things that he has been doing -- they're being very cautious with that at this point."

For some time now, Reyes -- who has spent more than two months on the DL with a right hamstring strain -- has been mobile. But he has not yet sprinted at full speed around the bases, and there is no longer a concrete schedule for him to do so.

This weekend remains a possibility, but at this point, it has to be considered something of an improbability. As recently as Tuesday, the Mets had indicated that Reyes would run the bases during the workweek.

"I wish I had an answer for you, but I just know that the people around him are very careful and cautious with the athlete," Manuel said. "We obviously entrust them with what they're doing, because that's what we do. So we have to be careful in our attempt to hurry him along."

General manager Omar Minaya, who said on Thursday that Reyes may still run the bases at some point over the weekend, had a slightly more optimistic outlook.

"The fact that he's out there running a little bit is encouraging," Minaya said. "But we've been in this cycle for a while."

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.